I remember riding bikes through a forested bike path, waking up in a tent to the sound of owls, skipping rocks on the lake, learning to water ski, washing dishes at a campsite, climbing trees, following deer, fishing with my grandpa, swinging in a tree swing, hiding in a corn field, sledding on the golf course, planting a garden, and building forts.
I do remember the television shows I loved as a kids, the original Atari games that we had, and some popular movies of my childhood but none of those things come to mind when someone asked about my best or fondest memories.
My family was pretty in tune with the outdoors. We went camping when I was young, we went for lots of bike rides, enjoyed fishing, one set of grandparents had a ski boat, my other grandparents took me camping in their RV, and I had a large back yard with many trees but I would guess that most people would look back at their outdoor and nature experiences as fun times.
That is a big part of what this site is all about. I know that the best moments in my life all happened in nature and I want my kids to experience it and I want others to do the same. If I encourage one person to take their children outside to explore, all of this will have been worth the effort. 
If you agree that getting children into nature is something that is important please pass this post on to a friend, invite other people with children to join the Kids Loving Nature Fan Page, or just call up a friend and ask them to grab their kids and meet you for a hike. Together we can teach the next generation the power of nature.
I love this post. After reading the book Last Child In The Woods, I reflected back on my own fondest childhood memories.
ReplyDeleteHiking at White Pines State Park (IL.), hiking in the woods near my home, going to Girl Scout Camp, going to camp in the summer, playing outside on my block for hours with neighbor kids, going 'camping' in a cabin with my family in Wisconsin, our family vacation to Glacier National Park (where my love affair with the mountains began) and multiple trips with my high school friends to Colorado our senior year.
These memories make up who I am and the ones that permeate my being are ones I shared with nature. I want to take my children back to many of these places I remember so fondly as a child. Mostly I want to go back and relive my senses of being their as a child.
As a parent myself now, fostering that love of nature in my children's spirit is most important to me.
THANKS FOR A GREAT POST!
Thanks Jenae, There is magic in those moments in nature. We must make it a priority for our kids to experience the same magic before we all get caught up in our iphones...
ReplyDeleteSee you on the trails.
Andy
What always comes to my mind as fond childhood memories are playing in the woods behind our home. I remember there was a fort back there...unfortunatly we only lived in this home for a short while, and I must have been only 6 or so when we left, but it always comes to mind when thinking about my childhood. I also remember playing night games in my neighborhood in the summer with all the neighborhood kids. Good times!
ReplyDeleteFebruary 9, 2011 9:58 AM
Many of my childhood memories did involve activities outdoors and most of the time we were moving so it was great exercise too.
ReplyDeleteI grew up in the Pacific Northwest so we had tons of fun things to do outside. I also played constantly in the woods and we would build numerous forts and run back and forth between them. It was a ton of fun!